County: Cork Site name: Gillabbey Street, Cork
Sites and Monuments Record No.: CO074–122 Licence number: 08E0369
Author: Máire Ní Loingsigh, Sheila Lane & Associates, Deanrock Business Park, Togher, Cork.
Site type: Urban
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 566783m, N 571427m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.894013, -8.482610
Five test-trenches were excavated at this proposed development site in the grounds of the Episcopal Palace (CO074–096) in an area traditionally associated with the monastery of Saint Fin Barre. In Trenches 1 and 5 a number of features in the subsoil were investigated manually. Two sandstone disc quern fragments (one decorated) were recovered from the upper level of one of the features (F7) in Trench 1. On investigation no clear cut or edge was visible/discernible in this (F7) or any of the features in Trench 1. They all contained a fill of redeposited mixed topsoil and subsoil with charcoal flecking, some contained animal bone. A metatarsus from one of the pits has been sent for 14C dating; results are not yet available. The features are possibly related to the building of a north–south post-medieval wall which appeared to be the west wall of Bishop Lane shown in historic maps of Cork city. Apart from the quern fragments, no other readily datable finds were recovered. The features in Trench 1 will not be impacted on by the proposed development.
A bone point was recovered from a pit in Trench 5. The pit was associated with tree roots or another garden feature as were the other features recorded in that trench. There were no traces of burning in any of the features investigated. Also in Trench 5 part of a human humerus was found in a pit filled with redeposited material.
Monitoring of excavation of foundation and service trenches was carried out in September 2008; no archaeological features or finds were recorded during monitoring.
No definitive evidence for ecclesiastical settlement, or early medieval activity was found at the site.
